Metal table



July 13, 1943. F, wo-ELFER 2,324,252

METAL TABLE Filed May 29, 1941 Patented July 13, 1943 iJNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL TABLE Application May 29, 1941, Serial No. 395,843

8 Claims.

This invention relates to metal furniture and is particularly directed to a coffee or cocktail table of improved construction and adapted for either indoor or outdoor use.

It is highly desirable for purposes of economical construction and shipment that these tables be of knock-down construction. For these reasons, it has been the object of the present inventor to provide a metal table formed of comparatively few parts, the assembly of which is extremely simple and readily performed by the average householder. Further, it has been the object to provide parts of size and shape which may be laid flat within the top or against the top and therefore shipped as a fiat, compact package.

It has been a further object of the present inventor to provide a table of this sort requiring an absolute minimum of extraneous fastening means; that is, screws or bolts, and toward this end the structure has been arranged so as to include parts which snap together for assembly purposes. The structure of the table is such that its assembly is quite obvious to anyone for the reason that the parts interfit or snap together in the correct position and alignment, and, at the same time, are quite rigid.

It has been the further object of the present inventor to provide an arrangement of elements resulting in a table capable of supporting a great deal of weight.

Other objects and certain advantages will be more fully apparent from the following description of the drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled or completed table providing a view of the top of the table.

Figure 2 is a perspective view looking upwardly at the table and showing its construction beneath the top.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary exploded view showing the parts in their position prior to assembly.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, Figure 1, showing a general section of the entire table.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view enlarged out of Figure 4:, showing the snap means holding the top and legs together.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 65,

Figure 1, detailing the assembly of the legs centrally at the base of the table.

Described in general, the table comprises four legs, indicated at Ill, and a top, indicated at H. These are the larger or principal parts of the table.

;. slightly,

The top H is slightly recessed, as at i2, for utility and appearance and includes a downwardly rounded edge |3 providing a flange for receiving the upper ends of the legs. This flange I3 is rounded sufliciently to provide an inturned lip in which the legs may be hooked as shown in detail in Figure 5.

The legs H] are formed of U-shaped or channeled metal for strength. Each provides a vertical portion I l and a horizontal or base portion i5 extended toward the center of the base of the table. The lengths of material forming the legs are bent as at IS on a fairly large radius and turn upwardly so as to provide the base portions l5 clear of the floor orground level. These base portions point to the center when assembled and include apertures I! in their base flange portions.

An attachment plate I8 of spider-like construction is provided. This plate provides legs I9 extending in four directions for cooperation with each of the base portions I5. These extensions are diametrically oppositely disposed in pairs. They are of channel form and they fit snugly within the open upper sides of the base portions l5 (Figure 6). Also, the plate is ribbed, as at 20, parallel with and along the extensions for reinforcement purposes. The plate includes an aperture 2| centrall thereof.

A washer 22, as part of the assembly means, includes indentations 23 adapted to cooperate with the opening I? in the base portions I5 (Figure 6). This washer includes the usual central opening 24 in axial alignment with the opening 2| of the plate, A screw 25 is engaged through the apertures 2| and 22, and through the usual medium of a nut 26 on its lower end and in interposed small washer 21, draws the assembled parts together against the legs. The indentations prevent radial displacement of the leg portions from the plate, whereas the snugly fitting flange portions of the plate prevent lateral displacement.

The upper ends of the legs turn outwardly as at 28, and are rounded to fit the inside ccntour of the flange |3 of the table top H. These portions of the legs are held outwardly in hooked or locked position by means of snap strips 29 disposed in cross relationship within the top. Each strip 29 has a downwardly turned end portion 30 engaged against the upper rounded end 28 of the respective leg.

In assembling the table, the four legs are arranged in their correct position, the spider-like plate and the stamped washer are placed in position and the screw and bolt are applied, thus fastening the legs together at their lower ends. The indentations in the washer fit into the holes in the leg, and the arms of the spider-like washer fit in the inner ends of the legs.

The table top is then placed upside down on the floor and the leg assembly is inserted. Each snap strip is then placed in position by inserting one end in the position shown in Figure 5, and then forcing the other end down the inside of the diametrically opposite leg until it snaps into position within the flange of the top and against the upper end of the leg. These braces or snap strips are crossed at the center of the table. They are formed of spring material so as to snap into position and so as not to be deformed by the bending necessary in snapping them in place.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A metal table, comprising a top having a downwardly turned flange around its edge, said flange turned inwardly sufliciently to provide a hook, legs adapted to support said top, said legs including outwardly turned upper ends engaged in the flange of the top, and snap strips disposed diametrically across the underside of the top and having formed ends, said formed ends engaging and holding the upper ends of the legs in locked engagement with the flange of the top.

2. A metal table, comprising a top, legs attached to said top, said legs including vertical portions and base portions, said base portions extended inwardly toward a central point, a plate engaging the inner ends of said base portions, a washer engaging the opposite sides of the inner ends of said base portions relative to said plate, said plate and said washer having Concentric central apertures, and attachment means traversing said apertures, said washer and legs interfitted for holding said legs against displacement from said plate.

3. A metal table, comprising a top having a downwardly turned flange around its edge, said flange turned inwardly sufliciently to provide a hook, four legs adapted to support said top, said legs in each instance comprising a vertical portion and a horizontal base portion, means for connecting the legs centrally at the base of the table, said legs including outwardly turned upper ends engaged in the flange of the top, and snap strips disposed diametrically across the underside of the top and having formed ends holding the upper ends. of the legs in said flange of the top for securing the legs in position therein.

4. A metal table, comprising a top, legs at tached to said top, said legs including vertical portions and base portions, said base portions extended inwardly toward a central point, a plate engaging the inner ends of said base portions, a plate engaging the opposite sides of the inner ends of said base portions relative to said first plate, said plates having concentric central apertures, and attachment means traversing said apertures for clamping the inner ends of said legs between said plates.

5. A metal table, comprising a top, legs formed of inwardly facing channel strips and attached to said top, said legs including vertical portions and base portions, said base portions extended inwardly toward a central point, a plate of spiderlike form including radial extensions lying in the inner ends of said base portions between the flanges of said channel strips, a washer engaging the opposite sides of the inner ends of said base portions relative to said plate, said plate and said washer having concentric central apertures, and attachment means traversing said apertures.

6. A metal table, comprising a top having a downwardly turned flange around its edge, said flange turned inwardly sufliciently to provide a hook, legs adapted to support said top, and snap strips disposed diametrically across the underside of the top and holding the upper ends of the legs against said flange of the top whereby the legs and top are locked in assembly.

7. A metal table, comprising a top, legs attached to said top, said legs including vertical portions and base portions, said base portions extended inwardly toward a central point, a plate of spider-like form including radial extensions overlying the inner ends of said base portions, a washer engaging the opposite sides of the inner ends of said base portions relative to said plate, said plate and said washer having concentric central apertures, attachment means traversing said apertures, the inner ends of said base portions including apertures, and said washer having indentations engaged in respective last named apertures for holding said legs against displacement from said plate.

8. A metal table, comprising a top having a downwardly turned flange around its edge, legs for said top, and elongated elements disposed across the underside of the top and having their respective ends lying against the respective upper ends of the legs, said elongated elements constituting quickly detachable spreader means for holding said legs outwardly against said flange.

FRANK C. WOELFER. 

